2027 Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowships

Applications for the 2027 Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowships will be accepted on line from
July 27th to September 30th, 2026

The Santa Fe Institute Complexity Postdoctoral Fellowships, comprising the Omidyar Fellowships, are unique among postdoctoral appointments. The Fellowships offer early-career scholars the opportunity to join a collaborative research community that nurtures creative, transdisciplinary thought in pursuit of key insights about the complex systems that matter most for science and society. The Institute rejects compartmentalized thought common in academia. Instead, SFI scientists transcend boundaries between fields, freely synthesizing ideas spanning many disciplines – from math, physics, and biology to the social sciences and the humanities – in pursuit of creative insights that advance our scientific frontiers.

• unparalleled intellectual freedom
• transdisciplinary collaboration with leading researchers worldwide
• up to three years in residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico
• discretionary research and collaboration funds
• competitive salary, generous benefits and paid family leave
• a structured leadership training program

The Institute has no formal programs or departments. Research is collaborative and spans the physical, natural, and social sciences. Most research is theoretical (SFI does not have lab facilities) and/or computational in nature, although some research includes an empirical component. SFI averages 17 postdoctoral fellows, 12 resident faculty, 100+ external faculty, and 1000 visitors per year. SFI's research themes and interests of its faculty and current fellows can be found atSFI Research .

As thought leaders who shape the future of science, SFI Postdoctoral Fellows participate in a provocative training program structured to develop leadership skills throughout their three-year residencies and beyond. The program focuses on sustained mentoring relationships with SFI resident and external faculty, skill development workshops, off-campus research and teaching experiences, and the variety of scholarly leadership and science management opportunities at SFI.

• a Ph.D. in any scientific discipline (granted within 6 years of the Final date to receive applications or expect to receive one by September 2027)
• strong computational and quantitative skills
• an exemplary academic record
• a proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• a demonstrated interest in multidisciplinary research
• evidence of the ability to think beyond traditional paradigms

• candidates from any country
• candidates from any scientific discipline with strong quantitative skills
• women and members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply

SFI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. Women and members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. SFI is responsive to the needs of dual career couples and is committed to building a culturally diverse research environment.

U.S. citizenship is not a requirement, however, you must be legally able to work in the US. SFI will sponsor a J1 Visa for successful candidates. SFI is not able to sponsor a H1B Visa for candidates.

Interested candidates must submit the following:

• Statement of research interests (max. 2 pages) including a short summary of the research you would like to pursue and why, and your broader interests.
• Description of interest in SFI (max. 1 page) that describes your potential contribution to the SFI community and also explains the potential impact of SFI on your research. Consider addressing one or more of the following:
  What kind of input from other fields would most improve your future research? What type of multidisciplinary workshop might you want to organize during your Fellowship? What aspects of your present or future research are difficult to pursue in a traditional academic environment?
• Three letters of recommendation from scholars who know your work. (SFI will contact your recommenders directly with instructions for submitting letters. These letters will be sent independently of the application direct to SFI. When you start completing the online application,
  please complete this segment
  as soon as possible
  so that recommenders have time to send the letter. Be prepared to provide names and e-mail addresses for the three individuals who will recommend you.)
• (Optional) A copy of one paper(or draft) relevant to your application that you have written in English, either published or unpublished.

The Omidyar Fellowship at the Santa Fe Institute is made possible by a generous gift from Pam and Pierre Omidyar.